South Africa Sinomusa Surfing

Up until 1992 the South African Government fell under the system of apartheid, a word meaning “apartness,” which legally segregated the society based on race in the belief that the color of one’s skin determined an individuals worth. It was therefore justified to separate the society, placing the people labeled as “Coloured,” (people of mixed race), and “Black” (African such as those of Xhosa and Zulu descent) into the townships of the Cape Flats, impoverished areas with inadequate education, housing, and employment opportunities. While the people in the townships struggled to meet their basic needs, the whites lived in luxury controlling the wealth, resources, and the government. In 1992 as a result of local liberation movements and international pressure, the apartheid system was abolished and shortly after the first black president Nelson Mandela was democratically elected. Although the apartheid system is no longer in place, its legacy continues through its significant divides and social inequities. The townships continue to flourish with poverty as its residents lack the resources to meet their basic needs and to move up in society. Lavender Hill is a township situated in the Cape Flats, about 15km outside of the city of Cape Town and walking distance from Muizenberg Beach. The youth in the community are faced with the challenges of poverty and its effects of violence, drug abuse, and gangsterism. These conditions are reflected in their low self-esteem and a lack of value in themselves and their worth. The Surfing programme aims at the positive development of the youth from the nearby townships and those living on the streets. While the youth have the opportunity to develop new skills in surfing, they also develop a positive lifestyle and greater sense of themselves. Surfing is used as a platform to teach the youth the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, including the positive results of exercise & a healthy diet, team building, and hard work.